Yerba mate, as many of us have heard all this talk of mate being a great alternate to other caffeine products. Let us review some of the health benefits of this alternative which many of us today are drinking as a new caffeine source or the occasional alternative to a day you just don’t feel like having your morning coffee and would like to switch it up.
Yerba mate caffeine is well-known for a cleaner energy boost with less crash or none compared to a coffee crash and has been described as clean, gentle and calm. Rarely interfering with sleep and none of those jitters some of us experience from coffee and has been beneficial for many people suffering from physical or mental fatigue and all the brain enhancing benefits of caffeine that are commonly known. Other than caffeine there has been two related compounds found in yerbe mate, theobromine and theophylline. Well-known stimulants also found in tea, coffee and chocolate.
Yerba mate teas not only including caffeine but many other nutrients including minerals, amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants and polyphenols have a balancing effect on the caffeine and giving a cleaner and more efficient effect. All of these elements giving drinkers the benefits of none of the uncomfortable side effects associated with drinking caffeinated beverages, such as stomachaches, headaches, jitters and the big caffeine crash that many of us has experienced. Here is a more in depth look at exactly which minerals and vitamins are in yerba mate:
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Sulfur, Zinc, Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B5
In addition Yerba mate contains 11 polyphenols and has more antioxidants than any other tea based drink.
Yerba mate has benefits on physical endurance as well, the chemical compounds and nutrients in yerba mate tea have affect on your metabolism to help your body use carbohydrates more efficiently. This helps your body use your energy from food a lot more effectively. Regular consumption of yerba mate benefits lactic acid from building up in your muscles, decreasing post workout soreness and helps speeding up recovery time.
Aiding in digestion is another big benefit for millions, as many of us don’t like to address the problem of irregular bowel movements. Studies have show to increase in bile flow and enhances the intestinal tract. Drinking yerba mate regularly has show the ability to cure chronic constipation issues in individuals by stimulating the body to have regular bowel movements and all of this helps reduce the stomach bacteria that can contribute to bad breath as well!
Yet another great benefits of yerba mate helps with weight control, a great herb that can be added into your diet for weight loss, the only herb that burns fat all over the body and has a great suppressant qualities helping you get through those unhealthy binges and sticking to a well rounded diet. This is not instant or solely a diet wonder but added to part of a healthier lifestyle that includes a healthy diet and exercise can have great benefits.
Another benefit of yerba mate is boosted immune system, recent U.S. studies have show that polyphenols are powerful antioxidants that strengthen the body’s natural defenses, protecting us against cellular destruction and yerba mate is very rich in polyphenols. Lab test have show the highest concentration of polyphenols, followed by red wines and green tea. The yerba mate plant contains a number of powerful phytochemicals called saponins. When studying the effect that saponins have on plants, it has been discovered that saponins are the plants active immune system and function being transferred to the human body when ingested. Scientists are looking at how saponins can help humans fight fungal infections, combat microbes and viruses. Boost the effectiveness of certain vaccines.
As most things in life, yerba mate is full of great benefits but moderation always needs to be taken into account. I hope you have enjoyed learning some of the benefits of yerba mate.